Borovets’ summer face

Borovets’ summer face

Sofia Echo,Hugh Fraser 01.08.05

BOROVETS is home to the first and most famous Bulgarian mountain resorts. Only 73km, and less than 50 minutes away from Sofia, the village sits at an altitude of 1350 metres at the base of Mt Moussala (2925m), the highest peak on the Balkan peninsula.
Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting village for the Bulgarian kings, Borovets is now renowned for skiing and winter sports. However, in the summer the Rila Mountain village transforms from a high-velocity, action-packed winter holiday location into a quiet, peaceful summer holiday location. The name Rila descends from the Slavic word “rula” which means “full of water”. The mountains are filled with more than 200 lakes and surrounded by wild mountainous terrain containing more than 2000 different species of flora.
Local hotel and restaurant owner Ivan, a 26-year veteran of Borovets, said that he encourages nature-loving holidaymakers who are looking for clean and fresh air, long walks and a peaceful alternative to a Black Sea vacation. “Borovets in the summer is a totally different place to the winter. We get a lot of pensioners or couples who come to appreciate the beauty and the Bulgarian culture. Quite different to the young, back-packing, hard-drinking British tourists during the winter.”
In true Bulgarian style, my colleague and I were invited to sit down and sample some of Ivan’s homemade drink of choice. A fresh carafe of Rakia containing 14 herbs and spices (three more than the Kentucky Colonel’s – it had to be good) was brought to the table, along with a quick shot of advice, “those who drink alone, drink twice”, and in turn dismissing the foreign culture of some winter visitors, explaining drinking is about the experience and not about how fast huge quantities can be consumed.
Borovets is an experience of beauty, nature and Old Bulgarian culture. More than half of the village’s numerous restaurants are closed in the summer, but do not despair there is still plenty to choose from to sample some local culinary delights. It’s worth taking a short reconnaissance walk around the streets before sitting down in one of the more high- profile restaurants. The choices are plenty and most offer time-honoured delights from salads to lamb on the spit. If the latter makes your mouth water, just make sure you ask for it directly off the spit or else you might not get what you expected.
Taking a walk on the Rila Mountain is considered the number one summer activity. The signature hiking route to Chernata Skala, commonly known as Black Rock, takes visitors through century-old pine forests, passing flower-covered green meadows and across small picturesque streams. After the leisurely two-hour trek, you will find there are plenty of places to picnic while admiring the wonderful view. If the four-hour walk sounds like a bit much then adventurers can go on horseback or by horse drawn carriage.
The hiking enthusiast can find a wide range of trails from easy to difficult and all generally well sign posted. Some of the more famous walks are to Mt. Moussala – six hours, and from the upper station of the Gondola – three hours, to Sitnyakovo Palace – 1.5 hours, to Chakur Voyvoda Chalet – 2.5 hours, to Saragyol Palace – three hours, to the Maritsa Chalet – 4.5 hours, to the Zavrachitsa Chalet – six hours. Gondola* and chair lift will take you up for a cost of seven leva one way or 13 leva return.
Borovets at this time of year doesn’t cater for the extreme sports tourist just yet, but with some imagination and a mountain bike, there is plenty of challenging terrain to satisfy. Or if you are feeling a little more physical, the Alpine & Mountaineering School is a close 40-minute drive, located in the Maljovitsa Ridge of the Rila Mountains. It is fully equipped, including an indoor artificial climbing wall. The instructors are expert climbers and most of them are lecturers at the National Sports Academy.
But all that said Borovetz in the summer is all about relaxation and taking time out to enjoy a little slice of nature’s paradise.
How to get there
By bus: Every 30 minutes, a bus/minibus departs for Samokov from the South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug). Approximately an hour later the bus arrives at Samоkov Bus Station where a shuttle van leaves for Borovets every 15 minutes. In Borovets, the van stops in front of Hotel Samokov. For the return journey the shuttle van departs from in front of Hotel Ela.
By car: If you choose to travel by car you have to take the following route: Sofia – Gorublyane – Pancharevo – Samokov – Borovets. The resort offers ample parking with the largest guarded car park situated by the entrance to the resort. The Rila and Samokov hotels also provide 24-hour guarded parking facilities.

I wanted to write a proper review of our hotel and experience while in Pamporovo, so this is the addition to my email.
We flew to Sofia and the pre booked taxi transport was waiting for us. The driver (Kosta) was wonderful and we felt really safe with him driving. Our flight was late and we arrived to the Dafovska hotel after midnight. The reception was open and they were waiting for us. We were given sandwiches and water and shown to our room. The rooms were spacious and warm, the beds comfortable, bathroom lovely and clean. Plenty of hot water, the towels were changed every day and bins emptied.
The hotel has Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room which is 12 leva per person with towels. I would have liked the water in the Jacuzzi to be a bit warmer. We went in every day after skiing, apart from one when we tried a different hotel. Snezanka hotel has a swimming pool too. Its ok but it was too busy for us and we decided to stick with ours. Their changing rooms are very very small and you have to pay extra for the towels.
We chose half board. There was many things to choose for breakfast, hot food, pancakes, fruit, cereal & toast. Apple & orange juice as well as many teas and coffees. I have to admit I always take my own tea bags пЃЉ. Not having to cook dinner after a day skiing was very welcome. There isnвЂ™t really a great choice for strict vegetarians, but I always managed to find tasty food to eat. You can buy drinks from the bar, or bring your own.
There is a free shuttle bus that takes you to ski centre Malina. Very busy ski centre. We met with the representative Nelly there. I would have preferred to have the information on what time to be where when we arrived. Nelly organised our helmets (you need to rent this separately, 5 leva per person), ski equipment and our instructor. Well! I cannot give more glowing review for our instructor! Alex was amazing, very patient, very friendly and knowledgeable. We had lessons in the morning, then lunch, which he was very good to organise with the local bar, then another set of lessons. The food in the bars by the ski school and at the top of the slope was very good. Big portions, quickly delivered. I only needed soup at lunch time which were homemade and delicious.
Staff, at the ski centre and gondolas, didnвЂ™t always speak a lot of English or smile enough but they were never the less very helpful especially with children and beginners.
We skied on our last day too and we were picked up from the hotel by a taxi to be taken to the airport. This taxi driver was not so careful and good at driving and we could not wait to get to Sofia and get out of his car.
The whole organisation of our trip with BulgariaSki was excellent!
Thank you all

5th time skiing in Bansko, have been here over Xmas period and Easter break, hasn't always been a lot of snow but enough to ski for five days. It is a good value for money skiing holiday for those on a budget, food very good value and varied depending on taste, some restaurants better than others, again depending on personal taste.
Not to sure what the nightlife is like as we stay in our timeshare resort The Balkan Jewel which is 3 > 4 miles out of Bansko, they operate a free shuttle bus but the last one back from town is at 4.30pm therefore going back into town would require the use of taxis.
I am sure we will be back in the future.

Dear all,
Borovets is a nice place to be, but it is risky to ski there. The slopes for advanced skiers are crossing the slopes for beginners and the slopes are negligently prepared with icy spots and snow heap places. This all is a precondition for accidents.
The ski lifts are maintained all on the surface, they stop frequently and the gondola had to be scrapped years ago.
So be careful when skiing in Borovets!

I love Pomporova. Its our home from home.We first went in 2008, the airport was a portacabin and the lifts were a dangling wooden chair.. The place improves year on year. I would highly recommend it. VERY CHEAP once ur there. But with all upgrades the prices to travel are clinbing. Jumped 200 in two yrs.

The hotel itвЂ™s a brilliant idea however there are aspects you would be surprised to stumble upon
We arrived late at night about 10pm. Greater by a very polite hostes she kindly provided us with prepacked sandwiches as the restaurant closed at 9pm ( we called in advance to ask if such is possible especially when you have young ckranky from long travel hours in multiple travel vechicles
The room very spatious. Bed cover had some suspicious sticky stains that absolutely horrified me at the thought that my children could possibly put their tiny hands on to that. One of the bath robes provided had a black stain on its back, the other bath robe had its pocket thorn out and just hanging.
There was a massive flaky, mouldy, damp patch in the corner on the ceiling. The toilet was leaking on the floor.
Breakfast food was cold and rancid with a queue for pncakes quite long and very impatient as pancakes was the only food that you could have still warm.
Boiled eggs were cold and so hard the yolk was dusty . Fried eggs were dry... wonвЂ™t even go to details about the rest of the food.
As the drinks offered to be purchased by the restaurant arenвЂ™t the healthiest of choice for children (all the juices on choice contained added multiple preserving agents and colourants) we asked if possible to have some tap water. It proved to be a terrible mistake, we were told that yes but we would have to pay for it, then told that if they bring a jug for us everyone else will be asking for it, then he brought a manager who was more rude than the server and plainly put it that even if we have children asking for water we would have to buy bottled water and she is not prepared to give us water for free, unnecessarily often stressing the вЂ?freeвЂ™ word.
There are far more many good things that are good about this hotel. ItвЂ™s main let down itвЂ™s restaurant staff who are poor hospitality professionals and frankly plain rude.

I have stayed at the Orlovetz for 6 out of the last 8 years and will be returning in 2018 for another week. It has become my 'Winter retreat'.
A modern hotel that stands out due to its prominent position and its design.
The rooms are comfortable and warm with plenty of wardrobe space and an area to relax. The safe is in the wardrobe, which is really useful for your valuables. There is a decently equipped gym, a small pool (though you can also use the larger pool in the Perelik as well) a Sauna and massage treatments, great for those aches from the first days of skiing ! The restaurant was made larger a couple of years ago and now accommodates more guests. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style, the food, in general, is of good quality and there usually at least four different options at dinner. There is a small bar in the lobby area and a Piano Bar on the top floor that has stunning views across the surrounding district.
As it is the sister hotel to the Perelik there is a tunnelway that links the two and saves you going out in the snow if you choose to use the alternative facilities provided there. One of them being 'The Pub' (previously known as the Pampi Bar) plus a couple of night clubs and a bowling alley.
Also as the Orlovetz is just across from the Schnezanka it is only a short walk to Daks Bar, often used as the first mornings meeting place for your ski passes etc.,which is a lively night spot with live music and very popular.
In all a great Hotel within a great small town, try it , Pamper yourself !

I went with my daughter January 2018. I was a cheap half board flights included and we wasnвЂ™t expecting much.... but what a fantastic week we had!! Stayed at the Lion hotel which is about a 10-15 minute walk to the slopes/town. A free shuttle is provide by the hotel. The hotel and staff are lovely. The food was always varied and hot. My daughter and I are vegetarians and in only two nights were we disappointed with the choice - but we heaped up on pudding so didnвЂ™t go hungry. Am lucky enough to be going back in 2018.

group of us just back from borovets.we arrived 4th feb 2017 and departed 11th feb.had a great time.hotel rila was fab.great gym and spa.food was good.ski school was great.we had a really good instructor Martin Hristov.he was really good with everyone took time to try and learn everyone.we all had a great time thankyou.will be back next yearx

I wonder if the poor review is really about the Winslow Elegance. We have been going for years. It does not serve food and never has done. However, the spacious accommodation is for self-catering. We have always found it to be clean and we have always found that the reception staff can not do enough for you. We are looking forward to our next visit in February, 2017, Bring it on!!

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